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Month: March 2016

According to the National Fire Safety Prevention Association (NFPA), over 2,700 people die, and 12,000 people are injured each year as a result of home fires. Home fires cause over $6,000.000 each year in damage. The top causes of these accidental fires can be tied to cooking, heating systems, electrical, and smoking.

Homeowner’s insurance and fires

Most homeowner’s insurance will cover damage or losses due to a fire. One exception is if it is determined that you set the fire intentionally. We hope you never have a fire, or have to deal with the stress that comes afterwards.

Home fire safety prevention tips

Never leave candles unattended. Always place candles in an enclosed holder and place at least one foot away from anything that can burn.

Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles.

Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly andchange the batteries at least once a year.

Never leave food cooking unattended on the stove.

Keep portable and space heaters at least three feet from anything that may burn.

If you have halogen lights, make sure they are away from flammable drapes and low ceiling areas.

Learn how to use your fire extinguisher.

Get a home insurance check up to make sure you have the best possible combination of coverage, price, and service.

Inspect the attic and crawl spaces for wiring which may have been damaged by pests or insects.

Never use extension cords for air conditioners. An overheated cord is like an out-of-control electric heater.

Almost every business large or small needs some level of added protection afforded by a commercial umbrella insurance policy. A commercial umbrella policy provides a layer of coverage over and above a primary business and auto policy. There are at least five important lessons, or facts, to be aware of when considering commercial umbrella insurance.

An umbrella policy can, but may not always, provide the same coverage as the primary policy. If you have a “following form excess policy” you can be guaranteed that the excess policy will provide the same coverage as the primary policy.

Most umbrella policies require at least $1 million dollars of primary or underlying limit.

Umbrella pricing is usually a predetermined rate based on the underlying premium, but can include the judgment of the underwriter.

If the primary policy has additional insured’s, they will carry over into the umbrella policy.

Umbrella policies may have exclusions not found in the primary policy; for example, pollution, workers’ compensation, and product recall. If you have a true following form excess policy, your exclusions will be the same as in the primary policy.

Our Commercial Excess Liability, or Umbrella, insurance policy gives your business an added layer of liability protection over and above your commercial policies. For example, if you have $1 million in general liability coverage and a covered claim is settled for $1.5 million, your business’s umbrella liability insurance policy would pick up the additional $500,000 amount.